Question

What is Dr. Polkinghorne is trying to say regarding the relationship between science and faith?

How does his view relate to what you have experienced regarding this relationship?

Statement by John Polkinghorne (particle physicist and Anglican priest):                      

It seems to me that many educated people in the Western world view religious belief with a certain wistful wariness. They would like some sort of faith, but feel that it is only to be had on terms which amount to intellectual suicide. They can neither accept the idea of God nor quite leave it alone. I want to try to show that although faith goes beyond what is logically demonstrable – and what worthwhile view of reality does not? – yet it is capable of rational motivation. Christians do not have to close their minds, nor are they faced with the dilemma of having to choose between ancient faith and modern knowledge. They can hold both together.

Answer 1

According to Dr. Polkinghorne, Science and ancient belief can go hand in hand. It is not necessary to choose one of them and discard the other completely.

I think he is right to some extent. Often we get into a dilemma whether to believe in God or not since we are living in the age of Science and it seems stupid to believe in something which still has no scientific proof. But on the other hand, in some difficult situations, we really need our minds to keep belief on some unknown supernatural power who might rule the universe. However, it is not stupid at all to keep some ancient faith alive despite living in the age of Science. Because, most of the universe is still unknown to Science. So, it is okay to believe something if we want (especially, if it soothes the mind) which has not been proved yet by Science, but also not discarded by Science and may be proved in future.